The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has formally commenced a nationwide assessment of illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey, following a directive from President Albert Kwabena Dwumfour. The initiative, spearheaded by the GJA, will be a comprehensive investigation into the multifaceted impacts of this persistent problem, alongside an examination of existing efforts to combat it. The assessment will be conducted following a week-long dialogue and symposium on galamsey, culminating in a team of experienced journalists conducting site visits and community assessments across the country. The GJA President, Dwumfour, stated the exercise will involve thorough visits to mining locations and communities, alongside evaluations of affected rivers and degraded lands. Crucially, the team will engage with miners, farmers, traditional leaders, regulatory bodies, and other stakeholders to obtain a detailed and verifiable picture of the galamsey’s consequences and the effectiveness of current mitigation strategies. Dwumfour emphasized the independence of the assessment, asserting that the GJA would ‘go there to find the truth’ and publish its findings irrespective of governmental influence or political pressure. The assessment will be structured to report both positive and negative findings, acknowledging progress while also identifying areas for improvement. The GJA is advocating for a broader approach to addressing galamsey, extending beyond miners operating at the bottom of the supply chain to encompass financiers, equipment suppliers, gold buyers, and other actors facilitating the illicit gold economy. Dwumfour underscored the necessity of adopting a ‘follow the chain’ and ‘follow the money’ strategy to effectively identify and prosecute those involved in this criminal activity. He stressed that the law must apply equally to all actors within the galamsey ecosystem, highlighting the critical importance of a unified and comprehensive approach to safeguarding the environment and socio-economic well-being of Ghana.” , ,
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Source: Adom Online
